RF

[Guest guest]

Brigitte,

The RF is either negative or positive, negative meaning there is no RF in the

blood. A positive RF only means that the antibodies are present in the blood.

Low titers can be present in healthy people over the age of 60. A positive RF

isn't diagnostic of RA, but high titers could indicate rheumatic, connective

tissue diseases, chronic infections, endocarditis and a few other I can't think

of. I have seen references of 0-20 being considered normal. It may be

considered normal, but it is still RF positive. From what I've read, the higher

the titer, the more aggressive the disease may be.

http://merckmedco.adam.com/ency/article/003548res.htm

http://www.pathology.unc.edu/path/labs/test/r/rf.htm

http://www.healthcentral.com/mhc/top/003548.cfm#Normal%20values:

a

----- Original Message -----

From: Brigitte

Sent: Tuesday, April 17, 2001 12:47 PM

Subject: [ ] RF

<< Normally RF should be 0, so the presence of any RF is considered

positive.>>

Hi a,

in Germany a RF up to 20 is considered normal. Are you sure it should be 0?

Ciao, Brigitte

[Guest guest]

Hi , hi a,

thanks for your answers.

,

<<We do know that the higher the titer, the more likely it is

to mean something. We also know that, if the titer is very high, rheumatoid

arthritis is the likely culprit.>>

What is considered VERY HIGH?

Ciao, Brigitte

[Guest guest]

This alludes to electrical signals and the heart.

http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4785 Or try Pub Med or

search through our Archives.